Before I start I've only got my own experiences to go off and it could be local to me and my hospital so don't go after me, I honestly think it's very hit and miss what can set people off here sometimes and this is quite an emotional subject.
I suffered an ectopic in Jan at 5 weeks, I'm as sure as I can be of that date because I charted everything and had calendars and i peed on things etc etc my GP agreed. He was fabulous and sent me straight to A&E when I had an appointment about my symptoms (aggressive intermittent cramping, no bleeding)
Before I went however he made a comment that ordinarily he would send me to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic but that I wasn't far enough along.
After all the drama had taken place and I was due to be discharged I was given some leaflets about the EPAC and told that should I become pregnant again to inform them straight away so they could monitor me.
I mentioned what my GP had said about not being far enough along and they said that they only deal with 6 weeks +.
Given that I was only just 5 weeks when the ectopic symptoms started and it was touch and go for a bit with my tube (surgeons remarked that they had only been able to save it because my GP was so on it with taking me seriously and sending me to A&E at the weekend instead of waiting till Monday) I don't see how this EPAC will help me this time around if it should happen again as it could happen too early for them to be any use.
I appreciate fully they are not only there for ectopic pregnacies and many women don't know they are pregnant till a bit further along but what is the point of calling it an 'Early' pregnancy unit when you can't even be eligible to be seen until 6 weeks, surely that defeats the point.
Surely if you are pregnant and go to see your doctor they should be able to refer you from that time to deserve the name 'Early'.
I will know the moment I am pregnant, I'm currently in the TWW (our bathroom looks like I've robbed boots pregnancy test section and I can now pee totally on command with devestating aim...quite proud of this) but I could have an agonising 2 week wait after a BFP to even be seen, in which time I could be dealing with another ectopic.
I know I'm probably a bit more sensitive about it given recent events, but AIBU to think that Early pregnancy should be defined as from whenever you get that first positive test and see your doctor. If I'm pregnant this month I will go immediately to my GP but he won't be able to refer me until 6 weeks, I have no idea what he will do in the mean time, blood tests I guess to monitor my HCG?? Not to sound ruthless but if it's another ectopic I want to know as soon as possible to try and preserve my tubes.
Ooooh im a crazy ranty lady tonight, I think the hormones and lack of sleep are getting to me.
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10 replies
FrostyPopThePenguinLord · 30/03/2017 02:07
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